Mark 2:1-14

1) And when he returned to Caper'na-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2) And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. 3) And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4) And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. 5) And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven" 6) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7) "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8) And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? 9) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk'? 10) But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- 11) "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." 12) And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" 13) He went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them. 14) And as he passed on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.

Ben Stein's Expelled

I just heard about this movie and thought I would spread the word if there are others like myself who have not heard anything about it. It opens April 18th. Above is one of the trailers for the film. Here is the home page for Ben Stein's Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

A hero returns

Not feeling well but I wanted to post this that Matt Maupin who lived less then an hour away from me and who has been MIA for about 4 years now has been found. Sadly it was his remains that have been found. While many of us have hoped for a safe return they have gotten less with each passing year. Still there was that glimmer that he would be alive. Today it came to a sad end as the public was told that Matt had been found dead. I am not to ashamed to admit that I shed a tear this morning as I heard the news.

At least now his parents have closure that there son died bravely serving his country. Today is the opening day of baseball season. Cincinnati had its parade and a tribute was appropriately paid to baseball and Reds legend Joe Nuxhall who died last year. While it may have been fun to watch Joe play and I had fun listening to him colorize the broadcast of a Reds game on radio he was not the biggest hero they paid tribute to today. A moment of silence was given in honor and memory to Sgt. Matt Maupin. It was men like him who have kept me safe so I could stay home to listen to Joe Nuxhall on radio. The hero will soon return home and while his mission is completed ours will continue. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Erlanger Batpist Church: Easter Sunday Sermon for 2008

Here is the Easter Sunday Sermon from Erlanger Baptist on March 23, 2008.

Luke 5:12-26

12) While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 13) And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him. 14) And he charged him to tell no one; but " go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." 15) But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16) But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. 17) On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18) And behold, men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19) but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20) And when he saw their faith he said, " Man, your sins are forgiven you." 21) And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" 22) When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, " Why do you question in your hearts? 23) Which is easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, `Rise and walk'? 24) But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins " -- he said to the man who was paralyzed -- " I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home." 25) And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. 26) And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

Erlanger Baptist "Guys In The Garden"

Every once in awhile I will post some sermons that were done at my church Erlanger Baptist. Here is the one from March 16, 2008 called Guys in the Garden.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Happy Easter)

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with the bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by.
Isaiah 53:3 NLT

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thine only crown; how pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish which once was bright as morn!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever; and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)

A profoundly personal and awesome vision

Although Bernard was one of the most influential Christians of the Middle Ages, settling disputes between kings and influencing the selection of popes, he remained a devout monk, single-minded in his devotion to Christ.

In his own day Bernard was known as a preacher and churchman; today he is remembered for his hymns of praise. "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" comes from a poem originally having seven sections, each focusing on a wounded part of the crucified Savior's body—His feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart, and head. The text of this hymn compels us to gaze at the cross until the depth of God's love overwhelms us. Bernard's hymn pictures God's love, not as an abstract theological statement, but as a profoundly personal and awesome vision of the suffering Christ.